The first official image has been released from RIDE LIKE A GIRL, the new Australian feature film directed by Rachel Griffiths. The photo features Teresa Palmer and Sam Neill, two of the stars announced for the film.
RIDE LIKE A GIRL will tell the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Palmer will play Payne, while Neill has been cast as her father, who raised Michelle and her nine siblings as a single father.
“We are celebrating both Michelle’s resilience and athletic brilliance,” said Griffith of the story, “as well as her sisters’ inspiring achievements in the sport before her. We also explore the profound impact of those men who gave her opportunities and stood by her at critical moments and hope to inspire more men to become champions of change.”
Stevie Payne, a young actor with Down Syndrome, will be playing himself in the film. Other cast members include Sullivan Stapleton as Darren Weir, trainer of the Prince of Penzance, Genevieve Morris as Michelle’s racing manager and, as her siblings, Brooke Satchwell, Sophia Forrest, Anneliese Apps, Katie Castles, Veronica Thomas, Zara Zoe, Aaron Glenane and Henry Nixon. Young Michelle Payne is being played by Summer North and young Stevie Payne is being played by Gryffin Morrison.
This is the first film to go into production from the Gender Matters: Brilliant Stories initiative launched back in 2016. “Gender Matters is unashamedly providing express-lane access to female business ideas and stories…It’s now time for action,” said Screen Australia Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Cameron.
Transmission Films is the Australian/NZ distributor with Embankment Films handling international sales. The film will open in cinemas across Australia in Q3 2019.
